Non-Lucrative Visa Income and Savings
For a non-lucrative visa (NLV) you show at least 400% of the IPREM index for each month of the authorisation, which is €2,400 a month in 2026, plus 100% (€600 a month) for each family member. You can show it as a regular income or as funds available to you. Evidence from foreign banks must include specific details.
The figures
| Household | Per month (2026) | For a one-year authorisation |
|---|---|---|
| One person | €2,400 | €28,800 |
| Two people | €3,000 | €36,000 |
| Three people | €3,600 | €43,200 |
| Each extra person | +€600 | +€7,200 |
These are minimums, measured at the time of the visa application, or of the renewal later. The IPREM is set in the State Budget, and the 2023 figure of €600 a month still applies in 2026. Check the current figure close to your application.
Income or savings
The regulation lets you show either sufficient funds for the period or a regular source of income. In practice applicants use:
- pensions and annuities;
- investment income, such as dividends or rental income;
- savings and other available funds;
- a combination of these.
Your service will look at which mix your consulate accepts and how it's best evidenced.
What the evidence must show
The regulation accepts any lawful means of proof: property deeds, certified cheques, or credit cards backed by a bank certificate of the available credit. For accounts or financial products abroad, the evidence must include:
- the bank's full name and address;
- full identification of the accounts;
- opening dates (and closing or authorisation dates, where relevant);
- balances at 31 December of the previous year, and the average balance over the last year.
If your means come from shares in companies based in Spain, you also show that you don't work in those companies and sign a declaration to that effect.
Consulates add their own format requirements, such as translations and how recent statements must be. Check your consulate's checklist.
Evidence by source of money
| Your money comes from | What applicants usually provide | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| A pension | The award letter and recent payments into your account | Currency and the amount after tax |
| Rental income | Tenancy agreements and the rent arriving in your account | Whether it's regular enough for your consulate |
| Dividends and investments | Statements from the platform or broker | How easily the money can be reached |
| Savings | A bank certificate and statements | For foreign accounts: opening date, balance on 31 December and the average balance |
| A mix of these | The evidence for each source | Totals that match across every document |
Consulates add their own lists on top. Los Angeles asks for three months of bank statements and your last tax return; Washington asks for a bank certificate showing the year-end and average balances, and your latest tax return. Your consulate's checklist decides.
A worked example
A couple applying together needs €3,000 a month in 2026, or €36,000 for the first year. Say one partner has a pension of €1,800 a month, which is €21,600 a year. The gap of €14,400 would have to come from savings or other means that the consulate accepts. Ask your service how your consulate treats a mix of income and savings before you rely on it.
Working it out for your family
Each family member adds 100% of the IPREM, so a couple needs 500% (€3,000 a month in 2026) and a family of four needs 700% (€4,200). See applying for the NLV as a family.
At renewal
When you renew, you show means for the renewal period on the same basis. See NLV renewal help.
Common mistakes
- Showing one month instead of the period. The amount is monthly, for the length of the authorisation.
- Foreign statements missing the year-end balance. The regulation names it specifically.
- Using income from work in Spain. The route is for living without working there.
- Relying on an out-of-date IPREM figure. Check it before you apply.
My Spanish NLV
A guide to the NLV income requirement, with an eligibility check.
- The threshold confirmed for your household
- Help preparing your income evidence
- Translations up to €100 in the full service
Opens provider website. No details shared.
Platinum Legal Spain
A guide to proving NLV funds, and a financial review at the start of its service.
- Which of your income streams count
- Which documents each one needs
- A free eligibility check
Opens provider website. No details shared.
We don't pass your details to either service. Choosing one opens its website in a new tab, where you start a separate enquiry.
Where the insurance fits
Budget for the insurance premium alongside the means you show, and get a dated quote for your household before you finalise your figures. See our NLV health insurance guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use savings only?
The regulation allows sufficient funds for the period as an alternative to a regular income. Ask your service how your consulate assesses savings-only applications.
Do the amounts change in later years?
They're tied to the IPREM, which is set in the State Budget. Check the current figure close to your application or renewal.
Does my spouse's income count?
Family means are assessed for the household. Your service will tell you how to present a spouse's income or joint accounts.